Yan-gwa~ | The Okinawan soba restaurant that ranked #1 in the "Top 10 Popular Okinawan Soba Restaurants"

The restaurant we're introducing today, "Yan-gwa," was ranked number one in the "Top 10 Popular Okinawan Soba Restaurants" list compiled in 2015 based on reviews posted on the travel information website TripAdvisor.

They are only open for lunch, and close once they run out of soup.
The specialty dish is miso soba noodles topped with plenty of bean sprouts, a specialty of Kumejima Island.
Even on weekdays, this popular restaurant quickly fills up after 12 o'clock, with both the tatami rooms inside the old house and the tables in the garden becoming completely full.

<Table of Contents>
1. A shop with a lovely appearance
2. I'll have the miso bean sprout soba.
2-1. Yan-chan's menu
2-2. Soukei's bean sprouts are delicious, of course, but the broth is incredibly rich!
3.Basic information

Show all table of contents

1. A shop with a lovely appearance

Yan-ko is located in the Gushikawa district, about a 15-minute drive from Eef Beach, the center of Kumejima's tourist area, in a village near Kanegusuku Port, where ferries from Naha and Tomari arrive.
The words "Yan-ko" are boldly dyed onto a large blue-purple cloth. The flowers in the garden are also brightly colored, creating a very fitting atmosphere.

I arrived a little before opening time. Following the stepping stones in the garden, which was covered with coral fragments, I first went up to the eaves.

A basket overflowing with bean sprouts is placed on the veranda. These are Sokei bean sprouts, which are cultivated by only one household on Kumejima Island.

Apparently, these bean sprouts are called "Sokei sprouts" because they were grown by Mr. Sokei, and unlike typical bean sprouts that spoil quickly, they can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week.
During the brief moment before the shop opened, the owner, Mr. Nakasone, kindly shared this information with me.

"Just a moment," they said, and I waited a bit at a table in the garden. Soon after, it was opening time.
"Please come in," they said, so I took off my shoes and sat down on the veranda.

2. I'll have the miso bean sprout soba.

2-1. Yan-chan's menu

The shop had the atmosphere of a family gathering that had just taken place there.
Like many traditional Okinawan houses, it follows the pattern of a tokonoma (alcove), a Buddhist altar, and a kitchen from right to left, but there's also an upright piano and commemorative photos of young children displayed. You can almost hear the breath of life in this place.

Yan-chan's menu is simple.
Island soba (large, medium, small)
Meat and bean sprout soba
Island miso bean sprout soba
Spicy miso bean sprout soba

Other than that, we have juice and bottled beer. That's all.

Each soba dish is made with plenty of ingredients from Kumejima Island.

This time, I ordered the spicy miso bean sprout soba and island soba, both of which are signature dishes at this restaurant.

2-2. Soukei's bean sprouts are delicious, of course, but the broth is incredibly rich!

By the time we placed our order, the restaurant was full.
From the kitchen, you can hear the aroma of sesame oil along with the lively sounds of vegetables being stir-fried.

The food was served in less than 10 minutes.
Here's the spicy miso bean sprout soba!

Here's the island soba! (This is the small size)

The stir-fried bean sprouts were piled high on top of the noodles, just like in Jiro-style ramen.
When you eat it, you'll be happy to find it has the perfect texture you were hoping for!

The crisp bean sprouts from Soukei, combined with the spicy miso sauce, will have you reaching for more.
It's naturally delicious when eaten with chewy noodles.

When I tasted the soup, I thought, "Hmm? It's a little unusual."
Is it bonito-based? Or pork-based? Does it also taste like kelp or ginger? What is it?

Even after trying a little of the simple island soba soup, I still couldn't tell.
The soup has an incredibly rich flavor.

When I asked the shop staff what the base of the soup was,
"It has bonito, pork, kelp, chicken, and... well, lots and lots of it!" she told me.

I see, I see, it's a trade secret, isn't it? (laughs)
While the spicy miso bean sprout soba tends to get all the attention, I highly recommend trying the island soba, which allows you to simply enjoy the soup.

3.Basic information

Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere of the old house is also wonderful.
From April 2025 onwards, our business will be limited to the summer holidays, winter holidays, spring holidays, and Golden Week.
Please check our official Instagram for detailed schedule information.

Yan-chan